Milwaukee Mesothelioma Lawyer
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The disease affects the lungs, abdomen, or heart lining and can take many years to develop. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing up blood, and weight loss.
While there is no cure for mesothelioma, early diagnosis and treatment can improve prognosis. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please seek medical attention immediately.
Do you suspect you or your loved one has been suffering from an asbestos-related disease like lung cancer or mesothelioma? The personal injury lawyers at Injury Lawyer Team, sponsored by Rosenfeld Law Offices, are legal advocates for asbestos victims with a mesothelioma diagnosis.
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Contact our mesothelioma attorneys today to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information our clients share with our mesothelioma lawyers remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
What Is Mesothelioma?
Nearly all cases of mesothelioma are asbestos related. The toxic dust, substance, and fibers can be found in construction materials, insulation, brake linings, and other products.
Mesothelioma results from abnormal lung, abdomen, or heart tissue growth. Unfortunately, mesothelioma often goes undiagnosed until it is too late. If you have been in contact with asbestos and are experiencing any symptoms, please see a doctor immediately.
Early detection is critical in treating this disease. Treatments are available for mesothelioma victims, but they vary depending on the cancer stage. With early diagnosis and treatment, many people with mesothelioma and lung cancer live for years after their diagnosis.
However, mesothelioma can be fatal within a few months if left untreated.
Mesothelioma Symptoms
Malignant mesothelioma can be challenging to diagnose early as the signs are often subtle or attributable to more common, everyday ailments. The most common manifestations of mesothelioma include:
- Anemia
- Back pain
- Enlarged abdomen
- Fever
- Hoarseness
- Pleurisy, or inflammation of the tissues lining the lungs
- The recurrent build-up of fluid in the lungs
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained weight loss
If you have any of these problems (especially if you have been in contact with an asbestos environment), you must immediately see a health care provider so the cause can be found and treated, if needed.
National Asbestos-Related Mesothelioma Statistics and Facts
The National Cancer Institute stated there were between 2,000 and 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States in 2017. This number may seem small, but it’s important to remember that mesothelioma is a very deadly disease.
The five-year survival rate for people with mesothelioma is only about 9 percent. That’s why it’s so important to protect yourself from asbestos exposure if you can. While there is no cure for mesothelioma, treatment options can extend life expectancy and improve quality of life.
The disease is most often diagnosed in men over 65 exposed to asbestos fibers during their careers.
National mesothelioma facts include:
- Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma and asbestosis.
- Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, but it is deadly
- The latency period (time between exposure and diagnosis) for mesothelioma can be 20-50 years.
- The prognosis for mesothelioma is poor, with a median survival time of about 12 months from diagnosis.
- The best chance for survival is early diagnosis and treatment.
- There is no safe level of asbestos exposure.
- People who have been exposed to asbestos should receive regular medical checkups.
- Mesothelioma is 100% preventable if asbestos exposure is avoided.
- Asbestos is still legal and in use in the United States.
- The military is a significant user of asbestos and has exposed millions of veterans to the substance.
- There is currently no treatment for asbestos-related mesothelioma.
Contact our law offices for a free case evaluation if you or a loved one has been experiencing signs of asbestos exposure. Our affiliated professionals have helped many clients deal with this awful disease and got the best compensation possible within the law.
Wisconsin Asbestos and Mesothelioma Data
If you live in Illinois or Wisconsin, there’s a good chance you’ve been exposed to asbestos. Several companies in both states have a history of exposing their workers to the deadly mineral over a long period.
Wisconsin is one of the states most affected by asbestos-related mesothelioma. According to statistics, from 1999 to 2020, 1400 Wisconsin residents have died from this disease.
The mesothelioma death rate in Wisconsin is significantly greater than the national average, with 11.4 deaths per million people. Only two asbestos deposits are cataloged in Wisconsin, but the disease rates are much higher near metropolitan areas, especially around Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Duluth.
Unfortunately, the average life expectancy for someone with mesothelioma is only 12-21 months from the diagnosis. The condition’s shortened life span leaves surviving families struggling to cope with the disease’s medical expenses and emotional burden.
Asbestos-related mesothelioma is a devastating disease, and it’s entirely preventable. If you’ve been affected by asbestos exposure, please don’t hesitate to contact an attorney, even if you have no symptoms of asbestosis. You may be entitled to compensation.
Support Groups Providing Assistance the Mesothelioma Victims
If you have been affected by mesothelioma, please know that you are not alone. Support groups are available online and in person to help you through this difficult time.
You can also call the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER for more information or assistance locating resources near you.
The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance provides comprehensive assistance for patients and families dealing with mesothelioma. It includes financial help, support groups, and educational resources.
The Alliance can provide much-needed hope and support for those facing this devastating disease.
Filing Worker’s Compensation Claims
The National Asbestos Workers Memorial Service provides information and resources to asbestos-related mesothelioma victims and their families. They offer help with finding medical care and filing a lawsuit for workers’ compensation.
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is another excellent resource for those whose health is affected by asbestos-related mesothelioma. ADAO provides support, education, and advocacy for those affected by asbestos-related diseases and offers a helpline for victims and their families and a wealth of information on their website.
Both the National Asbestos Workers Memorial Service and the ADAO are excellent sources of support for those whose health is affected by asbestos-related mesothelioma. If you or someone you know is dealing with this disease or had contact with a place that contained asbestos, please don’t hesitate to seek help.
Filing an Asbestos Exposure Mesothelioma Claim
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be wondering if you are eligible to file a lawsuit against those who exposed you to asbestos.
While anyone that comes in contact with asbestos can develop mesothelioma, the disease is most commonly diagnosed in people who have worked in industries where they had regular exposure to asbestos, such as construction, mining, and shipbuilding.
If you think you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos, contact an experienced attorney to help determine if you are eligible to file a claim.
It is essential to get the help of an experienced attorney because the law firm representing the defendants will fight to get the case dismissed.
Our Wisconsin Milwaukee mesothelioma lawyers have years of experience helping clients diagnosed with the condition get the compensation they deserve through a legal process.
Proving Who is Responsible for The Plaintiff Developing Mesothelioma
Under civil law, personal injury attorneys must prove four elements to win a tort lawsuit:
- The defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff: For example, employers must provide a safe workplace for their employees, safe from risk.
- The defendant breached that responsibility: For example, by putting workers at risk by exposing them to asbestos without providing proper safety gear or ventilation.
- The plaintiff was injured due to the breach: For example, the worker developed mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos at work.
- The plaintiff suffered damages due to the injury: For example, the worker incurred medical bills and lost wages due to the mesothelioma diagnosis.
The first two elements are usually not disputed in mesothelioma cases. The defendants – usually the employers of the workers who developed mesothelioma – owed a duty of care to the plaintiffs by not putting them at risk of exposure and breached that duty by exposing them to asbestos.
The third and fourth elements – causation and damages – are often more challenging to prove. To win a mesothelioma case, the plaintiff’s attorney must show that the asbestos exposure of their clients caused their diagnosis, which can be challenging as mesothelioma can take decades to develop after asbestos exposure.
How Milwaukee Mesothelioma Attorneys Build a Case
An experienced mesothelioma attorney will be able to gather evidence to prove causation and damages, including:
- Medical records showing the plaintiff’s exposure to asbestos and diagnosis of mesothelioma
- Work records proving the plaintiff’s exposure to asbestos at work
- Eyewitness testimony from co-workers or family members who can attest to the plaintiff’s exposure to asbestos
- Expert testimony from doctors or other experts who can speak to the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma
If you believe you have a case against someone who put you at risk, you must speak with experienced attorneys who can help build your case and seek compensation on your behalf for your situation.
Our team from our specialized Law Offices will first provide a free case evaluation to determine how to best proceed with your case within the law. Our clients can expect to be represented in court if necessary.
When Asbestos-Related Mesothelioma Leads to Wrongful Death
It can be challenging to cope with losing a loved one, but the pain is even more difficult to handle when that death could have been prevented. The surviving family members must protect their legal rights when a loved one dies due to asbestos-related mesothelioma.
Families can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the company or individual responsible for the exposure. This type of lawsuit can help provide financial compensation for the family members who have lost their loved ones.
A wrongful death claim can help you recover damages for your loss, including:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income and benefits
- Lost future earnings had they survived
- Loss of consortium and companionship
- The descendant’s pain and suffering before dying
- The family’s pain, suffering, grief, and mental anguish over losing a loved one
- Fees that your lawyers may have incurred during the court trial or negotiations
- Punitive damages in some cases
Even if you receive workers’ compensation benefits, you may recover additional damages in a separate personal injury lawsuit. Dependents who have lost a family member to wrongful death caused by asbestos can also file for damages.
Contact our affiliated lawyers for a free consultation to determine the compensation you and your family deserve. A specialized attorney from our law offices will charge no upfront fees and take your case to court. Our team fights for our clients every step of the way.
Resolve an Asbestos Mesothelioma Claim
Were you recently diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease like lung cancer, severe respiratory condition, or damage to the heart or other internal organs? Did you lose a beloved family member after developing cancer caused by mesothelioma?
The Milwaukee, WI mesothelioma lawyers at Injury Lawyer Team have extensive experience in resolving cases for clients harmed by products that contained asbestos. Let us help you see the complicated legal process of seeking justice and compensation for your damages. Our lawyers will continuously pursue your best interests in this awful situation.
Our mesothelioma lawyers accept all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. It ensures you’ll pay no upfront costs to resolve your liability claim until our Milwaukee mesothelioma attorneys obtain compensation on your behalf.
Contact our mesothelioma lawyers today for a free case evaluation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our personal injury lawyers remains private through an attorney-client relationship.